Is Medicine Lake Safe for Swimming?
Medicine Lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of D (Poor). Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk. Water clarity: 7.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 73.9 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 9.6 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | D (Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft |
| Phosphorus | 73.9 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 9.6 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 49 ft |
| Location | Hennepin County, Minnesota |
How does Medicine Lake compare?
With an overall water quality grade of D, Medicine Lake falls below the Minnesota state average of Grade C. It ranks #27 of 81 lakes in Hennepin County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 7.9 feet. That puts the lake in good clarity range, with limited algae interference. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 9.6 µg/L — moderate; acceptable for swimming on most days, but worth checking advisories.